Mork’s 12 goals help Larvik close in on Budapest berth

A masterclass in goalscoring from right back Nora Mork contributed big time to Larvik taking a major step towards the MVM EHF FINAL4, as the 2011 champions defeated Thüringer HC 29:26 away from home in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

Women’s EHF Champions League Quarter-final Leg 1
Thüringer HC (GER) vs Larvik (NOR) 26:29 (11:14)

Even though Larvik had the opportunities to win by more than three goals, the Norwegian record champions will still be confident going into the second leg next week of reaching the MVM EHF FINAL4.

12 goals from right back Nora Mork played a considerable part in the Larvik win in a match which the Norwegian favourites only hit top gear for short periods of play.

The injury-weakened home team made the favourites work hard for the win in the Wiedigsburghalle in Nordhausen.

Larvik were leading from the start, but Thüringer managed to keep them on a short leash by never really allowing their dreaded counter attacks to get going.

In the Thüringer attack, left back Franziska Mietzner started well, scoring four of her team’s first seven goals. When Larvik got her under control, fast breaks from left wing Meike Schmelzer turned out to be their new weapon, enabling the home team to narrow down the deficit again, having fallen five goals behind by the middle of the second half.

Through a steadily improving performance in the Thüringer goal, 19-year-old Dinah Eckerle also contributed to her team staying in the game.

In the last three minutes, THC coach Herbert Müller tried playing seven against six and this tactical step also contributed to the hosts reducing the distance to only two goals in the last minute, before Larvik grabbed another vital goal in the dying seconds, giving them a solid lead for next Saturday's second leg at Arena Larvik.